Update: Man Dies After Jumping Out of Helicopter

A 61-year-old man died Tuesday afternoon he jumped out of a private helicopter near the Balboa Pier, authorities reported.

The man was identified by the coroner's office as Gregory McFadden, of West Covina. Newport Beach police say he was the only passenger in the private helicopter when he jumped out of it just before 1 p.m. Ian Gregor, Federal Aviation Administration spokesman,  said the Robinson R44 helicopter was flying approximately 500 feet above the Newport Beach shoreline when the passenger opened the door and jumped out into the water near the Balboa Pier.

The Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter first alerted Newport Beach police about the fall and directed Newport lifeguards and the Sheriff's Harbor Patrol of where to search for the man in the water.

"Lifeguards brought the man to shore and initiated lifesaving efforts," Jennifer Manzella, police spokeswoman, said.

The man was taken in critical condition to a local hospital where he died of his injuries from the fall.

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